Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

An Opportunity for Prayer or Quiet Reflection

The meeting was opened with a prayer from Councillor Paul Rowlinson and time was taken for quiet meditation.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received beforehand from Nathan Abrams, Councillor Menna Baines, Sion Huws, Heledd Jones and Gwawr M Williams and late apologies were received from Bethan Jones and Naomi Wood.

To receive any declaration of personal interest

No declarations of personal interest were received.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration

No urgent items were received.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on the 12th Juy, 2022 be signed as a true record

RESOLVED to accept the minutes of a meeting of this Committee held on 22 July, 2022, as a true record and the Chair signed them subject to the following amendments:

Item 6 - Add "... the schools that are introducing the Wales curriculum to Year 7"

Item 6 - Delete "February 2021"

Item 8 - Reword "Representatives of more religious denominations were added”

An introduction by SACRE members and an insight into the work of SACRE

To accept the presentation on the work of the SACRE.

Everyone introduced themselves and who they represented.  Councillor Paul Rowlinson gave an oral presentation on the work of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) and the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE) referring to the Handbook "So you're joining your local SACRE: A Handbook for SACRE Members in Wales.

It was noted that many of the matters discussed in the Handbook had been discussed by SACRE, such as 

Holding a conference every five years

Discussing the new curriculum

Agreed Syllabus 

Changing the name of the subject

Supporting schools

Send representatives to WASACRE meetings 

Responding to consultations

Considering how to monitor schools

What difference does SACRE make?

How can Gwynedd SACRE improve?

Lack of expertise in the field.

RESOLVED:  To accept the presentation on the work of the SACRE.

A discussion paper on the possible way forward

To accept the report and write to the WASACRE for guidance.

The Committee was reminded of SACRE's monitoring role, and reference was made to the attached package, indicating the situation prior to 2020. It was noted that a document was being distributed to every School that would receive an ESTYN Inspection for completion and to then be presented to SACRE, however it was noted that the context had changed by now.  

Concern was noted that it was not so easy to get information now, ESTYN did not grade schools and did not compare them, however, there was more narrative in their reports, and consequently the current way of monitoring was not suitable by now. In addition, it was noted that the aim was to reduce the administrative burden on teachers. 

The concern about the lack of specialised support to SACRE was noted following the changes by GwE, however, the Head of the Education Department confirmed that there was a meeting in the pipeline that would possibly offer a solution.

It was felt perhaps that at the moment it would be better to wait and see, as we are in the initial period of change. 

RESOLVED to accept the report and write to WASACRE for guidance

An Update regarding the Agreed Syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics

To accept the update

The SACRE Clerk made reference to the steps taken to accept the agreed syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics within the New Curriculum for Wales, and although the Cabinet's seal of approval had not been received by September 2022, they had by now given their seal of approval. 

RESOLVED to accept the update.

To share correspondence as follows :

a.     WASACRE Autumn Conference

b.     Details of the Interfaith Week

To accept the information

WASACRE Autumn Conference

Councillor Paul Rowlinson noted that he had attended the WASACRE Autumn conference, and reported as follows:

The attendees received a presentation on the Year 8 resource pack, and although a number of modules were in the process of being assessed, they looked good.

In terms of Welsh Government Matters, he noted that the question has arisen following removal of a parent's right to remove his/her child from lessons, where it was questioned if this would create the same issues as a parent's right to remove his/her child from sex education lessons, however, they were of the opinion that the situation was not the same. 

The matter of monitoring standards was raised and it was confirmed that there was a need to discuss this further with the Welsh Government.

Reference was also made to the need for every SACRE to prepare an Annual Report and the format of the current reports were discussed.

Details of the Interfaith Week

Concern was noted that it appeared that activities had been cancelled in some areas, however, it seemed that this had only occurred in one area.

RESOLVED to accept the correspondence.

                        The meeting commenced at 3.30pm and concluded at 4.30pm.

CHAIR